Protective device



July 9, 1957 R. B. EVANS ETAL PROTECTIVE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 13, 1954 July 9,'1957 R. B. EVANS ET AL PROTECTIVE DEVICE Filed July 13, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ice 2,798,22; j rnorncrrvn envien Applicationiliuly l, 1954, Seal No.,443,ll2

3 Claims. (Ci. Z`9) This invention 'relates to head and face protective devices, and more particularly, to a combined safety headgear and faceshield for use in industry to provide head and face protection against bumping, flying objects, abrasive particles, dust and liquid splash. In many industrial operations, it is of utmost importance that the workers head and face be adequately protected from injuries and time delaying nuisances resulting from the existence of these deleterious elements, and accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide a safety device for protection during these hazardous operations. p

More specifically, this invention provides a means for protecting, primarily, the frontal area of the head, including part of the crown and substantially al1 of the face of the wearer, by the provision of a headgear comprising a visor and a faceshield extending downwardly from and around the visor. The headgear and faceshield are combined in a manner to supply optimum defense against scattered particles and liquid splash. Since the heretoforementioned industrial operations usually require wearing of the protective devices for long periods of time and during all-weather conditions, it is necessary that the protecting means be water resistant and fabricated in such va manner as to provide a light, comfortable fit to the wearer at all times. Also, the protective device must be easily adjustable to provide for various head sizes'andconstructed to include an efficient adjustment for readily moving `the faceshield to various positions. It is, therefore, a further object f this invention to provide a protective device which comprises a lightweight and attractive headgear having a faceshield pivoted thereto and is arranged for engagement in substantially dust and liquid sealing relationship with the headgear in its operational position. Further, the faceshield is pivoted to the headgear by novel friction devices which permit pivotal movement of the faceshield relative to the headgear in an easy and positive manner. Also, a exible and adjustable headstrap is connected to the friction devices whereby the headgear may be adjusted to various head sizes and, at the same time, provides a comfortable iit to the wearer during the entire period of use. l

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the complete protective device of this invention;

Fig. 2 is atop plan View; j

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1 with parts disassembled, removed and broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged View of one of the friction devices showing its attachment to fragments of the protective device;

Fig. 5 s an exploded view of the friction device shown in Fig. 4 and showing each component of the friction device in end and side elevation; and

Fig. 6 shows one end of a modied headstrap.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. l, the protective device l comprises a headgear 2 having a crown 4 and visor 6. The headgear may be fabricated by various methods well known in the hatmaking art and composed of various materials having high strength, desirable weight and good liquid-resistant qualities. For example, theV headgear may be molded of cellulose fibers reinforced with glass fibers and bonded together with a durable, water-resistant plastic. This provides a headgear which is extremely light in weight and has high strength characteristics and is highly resistant to water, acids and alkalies. Crown 4 of the headgear 2 preferably extends'upwardly and over the head of the wearer and generally conforms to the curvature of approximately the vfront half of the head. The visor 6 extends forwardly of and around the crown 4, as shown, to provide a means for shielding the face from the glaref of Vlight and downwardly directed particles and liquid splashes, and provides a means for spacing a faceshield 8 a predetermined distance away from the face for purposes hereinafter explained. The faceshield 8 is attached to the side or temple portions of the crown 4 by friction or connecting devices l0 and is seated on the visor 6 by a stop 12 when the faceshield` is in its lowermost position. `An elastic headstrap 14 of the headgear is also connected to the crown by the friction devices 10, andI a spongelike sweatband 16 is attached to the inside of the crown 4 by integral resilient nibs 18 which are pulled through holes punched in the crown. In order that the: faceshield 8 and visor 6 may be in sealing engagement with each other, a liexible gasket 22 is attached to they Visor 6 by cementing or the like to press against the upperperipheral surface'of the faceshield when in position of' use.

Having described the Vgeneral arrangement and con struction of the protective device, attention is now directed to Figs. 2 to 5 of the drawings wherein the various parts of the protective device are more specifically shown.. Noting Figs. 2 and 3, it may be seen that the faceshield 8l is spaced forwardly of the face of the wearer to permit' ample ventilation to the face and to allow ample roomfor goggles and eyeglasses if these are to be worn. Fur ther, should the faceshield be struck and pressed inwardly, the blow is prevented from being directly transmitted tothe face as would be the case if the faceshield were only' spaced a short distance from the face. The faceshield 8- comprises a curved transparent shield or lens 24 reinforced by a band 26 extending around the entire free: edge of the shield and comprises an upper mounting band 28 arranged for attaching the faceshield to the headgear at friction devices 10. The reinforcing and mounting bands 26 and 28 may be attached to the shield 24 in any desirable manner, such as by clamping or the like, but if preferred, the band 26 may be omitted. The shield 24 may be of clear 'or tinted material selected from groups of well-known plastics having qualities, such as high impact strength, resistance to chemical splash, good ilexibility and/or noninflammable characteristics. For example, polyvinylchloride compounds are flexible, highly resistant to chemical splashes and are noniniiammable; cellulose acetate compounds are flexible and have good impact strength. For some types of operations, it may be desirable to use a faceshield having a wire mesh shield, and such face protection may be readily substituted for the above-mentioned plasticfaceshields. The end portions of mounting band 28 contain holes 30 (only one shown, Fig. 3) for receiving the threaded portions 32 of the bolts 33 which are removably inserted through the crown 4. Crown 4 contains Hat-sided apertures 34 (only one shown) for the purpose of nonrotatably receiving bolts 33. The faceshield 8 may be pivoted upwardly into any position over the headgear 2 in the direction of the arrows; and as is shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3,

Patented July 9, 1957' it is clearly seen that the headgear may be pivoted through an arc exceeding 200 degrees.

Headstrap 14 is formed of elastic fabric and includes a conventional adjusting buckle 15. Each end of the headstrap has attached therethrough a`me`tal` grommet 37 havinga round hole 37a (only 'one shown) formed therein. When the headstrap 14 is attached to the crown, a twov portion'headband yis formed. That is, the crown 4forms a rigid front portionand the headstrap 14 forms aflerxi, ble rear portion. Thus, the wearer is assured frontal protection and support, and is not exposed to an uncomfortable and complex headstrap at the'rear of his head as is the case in an all-.rigid headband. Furthermore, the elastic headstrap 14 allows more flexibility of ladjustment becauseV of the comfortable clinging action of an elastic band to the head.

Referring to Fig. 5, each ofthe friction devices comprises a headed bolt 33 havinga threaded portion 32 which is attened for insertion in flat-sided aperture 34r of the crown 4. Spring washer 35, Vwasher 36 having a' provision of a seal between the faceshield and visor, and

. the incorporation of a visor on the headgear permits the flat-sided aperture shaped to fit around'portion 32 and knurled nut 33 `complete the parts of each of the friction devices l0.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 indicate the manner in which the faceshield 8 and elastic headstrap 14 are attached 'tocrown 4 25 by friction devices 10. Reference will be made to the.

manner of attachment to one side of the headgear since the attachment is identical for both sides. First, the portion 32 of bolt 33 is inserted in aperture 34-of crown 4 and then the elements are assembled in theV following 30 order. Spring washer 35 is placed around portion 32 and placed adjacent the crown 4; the aperture 30 on the end of the mounting band 28 is receivedby portion 32; A washer 36, having a flat-sided opening similar to the flats of threaded portion 32, is inserted against the end of band 28; the aperture 37a in the headstrap grommet 37 is received by portion 32 and the grommet is placed alongside washer 36; and finally, a knurled nut 38 Vis screwed onto bolt 33. When the parts havebeen assembled, it is seen that the bolt 33 and crown 4 arenncn- 40 rotatably secured relative to each .otherv because oftheir mating flat-sided portions'and that the faceshield Sand headband 14 are permitted to freelyrotate relative toV t each other and crown 4. Y i

When nut 38 is tightened, all of the `parts shown in Fig. 4 are frictionally assembled relative to eachother and washer 35, Vdue to its resiliency, permits Vrotationalr movement of the faceshield without affecting the 'fric'-` tional force applied by the tightening of the nut. f Further, v

when the faceshield is rotated into various positions, it' will remain inthat rotated positionsinc'e'the nonrotative washer 36 prevents transmission of the faceshield movement to the headstrap or tothe nut 38 to loosenthe latter. This permits the wearer of the protective device to continuallyA move the faceshield upwardly-and downwardly without changing the initialv tightening adjustment on the friction device. Also, movement "of thefaceshield-will not inuence the positionof the headgearsince the latter remains fixedv on` the head of the wearer due to the'non-V rotatable connection betweenrthe bolt'33 andheadgea'r. i Thus, once the nuts are tightened, noifuither adjustment is necessary after any movement of the fac'eshield. Headstrap 14 is adjusted upwardly and downwardly by merely employing the Vresiliency inherent Ainthe elastic fabric of the headstrap,.but if desired', grommets 37 may-be rotated by loosening nut 38. Due kto the large surfaces of grommets 37 pressing against washers V36 and. nuts 38, the" grommets cannot be normally rotated so as to loosen nut 38. Should the grommets be',in,adyertently rotated, washer 36 will preventgmovement rof f aceshield'S.

Referring now to Figs.v 2 and l3it is seen that llexible i* wearer to safely operate under conditions heretofore considered impractical, if not altogether impossible, without additional burdensome and expensive safety equipment. Furthermore, should slight inaccuracies occur in the fabrication or assembly of the faceshield or headgear, the resiliency of gasket 22 will readily make up these dilferences and maintain the required seal. If the gasket 22 becomes worn, it may be replaced by simply cementing a new gasket in place of the worn one.

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of grommet 37. In this embodiment, the headstrap would have a grommet 50 on each end, and each grommet would contain a flat-sided aperture 50a for receiving a ilat-sided bolt identical to bolt 33. When assembled with a friction device identical to the device 10 above, the grommet 50 would function as a nonrotatable element. Accordingly, rotation of the tightening nut would not influence the position of the headstrap.

Fromthe above description, it is obvious that this invention provides 'a novel protective device which contains' Vall 'of' the necessary qualities required in the performan'ceY of above-related operations and provides a protective device whose component parts are readily and inexpensively replaceable and which parts are easily conformableand adjustable to various head shapes and sizes.

Having explained the principle of the present invention and having illustrated and described what is considered to be thebest embodiment, it is to be understood that, within' the scope of the appended claims, the invention may b'e practiced otherwise than as'specifically illustrated and described.V

We*r claim:

l. A protective device comprising a headgear including a c rownand a shield pivotally mounted on the crown by a pivotal 'connection, said pivotal connection comprising a bolt having a head positioned against the inside surface of saidcrown and having a ilat shank portion extendingthrough said crown and shield, the crown'having an opening complementary to the flat shankV portion, said bolt being nonrotative relative to said crown and providing a pivot for said shield, expansible spring means carried by said flat shank portion between said crown'and shield, tightening means carried by said portion outside of said crown, and nonrotative anti-friction means interposed between said shield and tightening means.

2. A protective device comprising a headgear including a crown and a shield pivotally mounted on the crown by apivotal connection, said pivotal connectionl comprising' a bolt having a head positioned against the inside surface of said crown and having a threaded portion flattened on at least one side extending through said crown andk shield, the crown having an opening complementary to said portion, said bolt being nonrotative relative to said crown and providing a pivot for said shield, a spring washer carried on said portion between said crown and shield, a nut threadin'gly engaging said portionr outside of said crown, and a nonrotative anti-friction washer interposed between said shield and nut.

3. A protective device comprising a headband having front and rear portions, a shield pivotally mounted on said front portion by a pivotal connection, said pivotal connection comprising a bolt having a at shank portion extending through said portions and shield, said front portion having an openingcomplementary to the flat shank portion, expansible spring means carried by said atshank portion between said front portion and shield, tightening means carried bysaid at 4shank portion, said rear portion being rotatably carried between said shield and tightening means, and nonrotative anti-friction means interposed between said shield and rear portion, whereby said shield is pivotable without alecting the adjusted position of the rear portion and tightening means.

(References on following page) References Cited in the le of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS Bowers VAug. 1, Shipman Aug. 15, Bowers Mar. 26,

Dockson et a1. Apr. 22,

6 Evans Oct. 17, 1944 Mamlin et al. June 3, 1947 Bowers Sept. 20, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS France Oct. 26, 1918 

